My most memorable street harassment experience was walking my two dogs about 3 blocks so they could pee. Two houses down a man started yelling things like, “Hey baby girl” and a few others joined in. I felt rattled but determined to not respond in any way.

On my way back he started yelling at me again and I felt so angry and fed up with him that I turned around and yelled “has that EVER worked for you? F***ing loser,” and then I felt panicked.

Then I passed my neighbor, who had sexually assaulted me two weeks prior, and he was calling out to me.

Another man told me to go on and respond and say hi to the nice old man. I didn’t call authorities because I live in a mostly black neighborhood including that neighbor, and I’m white so I was scared of how police would react and how the media might play it (if they got involved). But I also hated having to live my life like he’s any other decent person that I should get along with. So with the angry outburst I had already let out I yelled that I do not associate with rapists and neither should he and that my neighbor is lucky I didn’t call the cops on him, and he’s certainly not entitled to my time.

I finished the walk home by running and I locked the door and set the alarm panicked that he’d try to “talk about it” and harass me some more. He didn’t but I had a nervous breakdown and I was crying off and on for the rest of the night. I was shaking and felt very unsafe.

Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?

Denormalize public flirtation, pick ups, etc that people say is what (street) harassment is.

– Lexi

Location: Oklahoma City

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See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea

Last summer, I was walking down to the dollar store with my 2 year old son to enjoy the sun and get him a toy. Our apartment is only a couple blocks away but on our walk, I got catcalled at least four times with one guy rolling his window down a couple inches and screaming “WHORE” at me. Unfortunately, I often get called a whore or slut when I’m walking with my son.

One man made some rude comment while I was walking with my son and the idiot parked his truck pretty close to where we were going. When he saw me walking up to confront him, he hopped back in his truck and sped off faster than if I had been a cop!

Oh, and I wasn’t wearing skimpy clothes either. I was wearing a baggy long sleeved top and thick leggings when the first event occurred.

Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?

Educate men and boys by making our stories known. If we can even reach 25% it will be a marvelous success.

– Victoria Barnett

Location: Snohomish County, Washington

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See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea

I was minding my own business walking down a semi-busy street when a middle aged, older man made eye contact with me from his car. Used to unintentional eye contact, I paid no mind and kept on walking; however a few minutes later, the same person stopped his car beside me and asked if I needed a ride. I politely refused and continued walking, but he was persistent.

For the next five minutes, he would drive alongside me and periodically stop and try to persuade me to go with him. He said that we were going the same direction, so he would not mind to give me a ride. Every time, I politely refused. In those five minutes, I tried to make eye contact with several passing drivers, but none actively responded. Therefore, I took an active role in protecting myself with an uncompromising attitude. Although he tried to reassure me that his intentions were pure, his actions were too suspicious; it made no sense why a middle aged man would persistently offer a teenage girl a ride. Finally, he gave up, drove straight for a few meters, and u-turned away. So much for same direction.

This encounter was unsettling, for another middle aged male had once followed me to my house before. What I feared the most was that some girls may be too scared to react and give into his persistence. This area was near a local high school, and this event happened approximately an hour before school would end. Thus, I feared he would continue to prey on others.

I fear for the safety of high school girls, younger girls, and any person walking on the streets of this seemingly safe suburb. No person should be subjected to this experience because gender and/ or sexuality should not play a role in a person’s safety on the streets.

– Anonymous

Location: Temple City

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See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea

Walking from my car, I feel two men staring at me while whispering something under their breath. Irritated, look up and lock eyes with them for half a second each.

Once they’ve past me, one of the men yells, “Stop looking so angry!”

I turn around, strongly locking eyes with each of them sternly asking, “Why can’t I be angry?!”

He returns, “I don’t know, but stop looking all mad!”

At this point, I’m shaking, wishing I had hulk strength to stomp the shit out of these men. I angrily walk towards the store.

I turn around, speed-walking with my fists tight, and yell, “YOU DON’T KNOW?! I know that If you actually gave a SHIT about my emotions and feelings you would be respectful and let me have my uninterrupted peace! I can feel whatever the f*** I want!”

If I were a man, I guarantee I wouldn’t have been yelled at for looking upset. Society advertises women as sexy, happy, giggly, and having emotions looking similar to Lisa Frank’s art.
Both men AND women should feel comfortable and safe to feel whatever it is they are feeling.

– TM

Location: Long Beach, CA

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Yesterday I went to prom with my friends and after some time, my best friend and I decided to get some fries because we were really hungry. While walking there several men approached us and harassed us with catcalls but that was just the start. What made me really angry was when we walked back and one guy walked by and said, “If you’re dressed like this you shouldn’t be surprised if you get raped.”

This needs to stop. I was already scared of walking alone outside when it’s dark but now I’m horrified. And if anybody thinks ʺnot all menʺ THERE WERE TWO MEN WHO DIDNT HARASS US OUT OF AT LEAST 20 MEN.

Optional: What’s one way you think we can make public places safer for everyone?

We need to teach people that it’s not the victims fault and we need to teach boys and men to behave (I’m not saying it’s just women that are victims but I’m talking about my experience here) and tell them it’s not f***ing ok to talk like that!

– Anonymous

Location: Graz, Austria

Share your street harassment story for the blog.
See the book 50 Stories about Stopping Street Harassers for more idea